Composite tissue adhesive

• US 6,939,364 B1
• Filed: 10/09/2001
• Issued: 09/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Conversion Energy Enterprises
• Original Assignee: Tissue Adhesive Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Soltz, Michael A., Soltz, Robert, Soltz, Barbara A., DeVore, Dale P., DeVore, Braden P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Anhtuan T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pantuck, Bradford C
• Application Number:
  US09/973,335
• Time in Patent Office: 1,428 Days
• Field of Search: 606/213, 606/214, 606/215
• US Class Current: 606/214
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00491 Surgical glue applicators surgical adhesives A61L24/00; two-component delivery syringes A61M5/19
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/22 the beam being directed along or through a flexible conduit, e.g. an optical fibre; Couplings or hand-pieces therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0007 Pyrometers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/005 hardenable using external energy source, e.g. laser, ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00508 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00517 using laser

Abstract

Consistent with the present invention, tissue adhesive compositions and an associated laser exposure system are provided for bonding or sealing biological tissues. The compositions are comprised of chemically derivatized soluble collagen which is formulated to concentrations ranging from 300 mg/ml (30%) to 800 mg/ml (80%) collagen protein. In particular, Type I collagen, for example, is first prepared by extraction from bovine or porcine hide and purified. The collagen preparations are then chemically derivatized with sulfhydryl reagents to improve cohesive strength and with secondary derivatizing agents, such as carboxyl groups, to improve the adhesive strength of the solder to the tissue. The compositions are then formed into viscous solutions, gels or solid films, which when exposed to energy generated from an infrared laser, for example, undergo thermally induced phase transitions. Solid or semi-solid protein compositions become less viscous enabling the high concentration protein to penetrate the interstices of treated biological tissue or to fill voids in tissue. As thermal energy is released into the surrounding environment, the protein compositions again become solid or semi-solid, adhering to the treated tissue or tissue space.

Claims

1. A method of bonding a first tissue to a second tissue, said method comprising the steps of:

placing said first tissue in proximity of said second tissue;

providing an adhesive in contact with said first and second tissues, said adhesive including collagen, a concentration of said collagen in said adhesive being at least equal to 300 mg/ml, but less than 800 mg/ml, said collagen being gelatinized by application of thermal energy, and said collagen being derivatized with a COO⁻

functional group; and

exposing said adhesive to electromagnetic radiation.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said electromagnetic radiation includes infrared light.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said exposing step includes the step of directing light generated by a laser to said adhesive.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

monitoring a temperature of a surface of said adhesive; and

adjusting an intensity of said electromagnetic radiation in response to said monitored temperature.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the step of providing a material including a cyanoacrylate in contact with at least one of said first and second tissues.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said collagen is also derivatized with an SH⁻

functional group.

7. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said adhesive is heated to a temperature within a range of 55°

–

66°

C.

8. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said adhesive is a liquid, gel or solid.

9. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said electromagnetic radiation has a wavelength in a range of 1.4 μ

m –

1.5 μ

m.